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Giro d'Italia: Snow forces cancellation of 19th stage

Fri 24 May 2013, 6:47 PM AEST

Heavy snow at altitude has forced the cancellation of the Giro d'Italia's 19th stage.

On the first of two consecutive stages in the Dolomites, the peloton was due to tackle two major mountain passes - the Gavia and the Stelvio, the latter, at 2,758 metres, being the highest point of the race's 96th edition.

That plan was virtually abandoned late on Thursday when organisers, fearing for the safety of the peloton, announced a 'Plan B' with the Gavia and Stelvio replaced by the Tonale and Castrin mountain passes.

But it was discovered early on Friday that the Tonale pass was also snowbound.

On Thursday, race leader Vincenzo Nibali of Italy extended his advantage over his closest rival, Australia's Cadel Evans, to 4 minutes and 2 seconds after winning a 20.6-kilometre uphill time trial.